System for deposition of inert barrier coating to increase corrosion resistance

ABSTRACT

The present invention reduces corrosion rates on metal surfaces, such as the interior surfaces of gas flow control components by depositing a chemically inert layer on the metal surface of the component and other associated parts of the component that are exposed to corrosive gases. The disclosed method provides for depositing a relatively chemically inert thin film such as silicon dioxide along the gas exposed surface areas of the metal surface thereby enhancing corrosion protection to the metal surfaces. The present invention can be used to deposit a chemically inert thin film at locations inside components that are outside a direct line of sight and at locations normally unreachable by a gas flowing through the components. The present invention does not require a vacuum system for the deposition of the corrosion-resistant thin film.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

A provisional application corresponding to the subject matter of this application was filed on Oct. 18, 2002, and assigned Serial No. 60/419,146. Applicants claim the benefit of the filing date of said provisional application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to chemical deposition and more particularly to the chemical deposition of an inert layer on the metal parts of components and associated adapted to be exposed to corrosive gases when in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many of the gases used in manufacturing tend to corrode metal parts of components and equipment. For example, gases used in microelectronic fabrication such as in thin film deposition and etching are highly corrosive gases. For example, chlorine (Cl₂), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and fluorine (F₂) are used in plasma etching, and dichlorosilane (SiH₂Cl₂), germane (GeH₄), and silicon tetrachloride (SiCl₄) are used in plasma deposition. The corrosive properties of these gases limit the life of the components and equipment, such as for example, gas flow control regulators, used to control the gases. The reaction products that are created when the gases interact with the surface of the gas flow control component may introduce contaminants into the gas stream. The continuous flow of these corrosive gases through a gas flow control component greatly reduces the life of the component. Thus, it is desirable and advantageous to provide a continuous coating of an inert, corrosion resistant substance on the surfaces of components that are exposed to corrosive gases to extend the life of such components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to reduce corrosion rates on metal parts and components, especially gas flow control components, by depositing a chemically inert layer on the metal parts. Thus, the metal parts of a flow control component and other associated parts of components that are exposed to corrosive gases are protected. The disclosed method provides for depositing a relatively chemically inert thin film along the metal parts adapted to be exposed to corrosive gasses thereby enhancing corrosion protection to the metal surfaces. The present invention can be used to deposit a chemically inert layer at locations inside flow control components that are outside a direct line of sight and at locations unreachable by a gas flowing through the flow control components. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention does not require vacuum systems for the deposition of the corrosion-resistant layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the basic process for creating silicon dioxide layer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method for coating a gas flow component with a layer of silicon dioxide that uses a flow configuration in the formation of the silicon dioxide.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a method of coating a component with silicon dioxide using the component as a mini-chamber that does not require a vacuum chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive methods increase the corrosion resistance of components having interior surfaces by coating the inside surface of the component with SiO₂ (silicon dioxide or silica). In particular, low temperature chemical vapor deposition of SiO₂ from the thermal decomposition of commercially available, low toxicity reagents produces silicon films that have good uniformity and film properties.

DADBS is a preferred precursor of SiO₂, as it is relatively safe and easy to handle, and it is liquid at ambient conditions. The basic reactions used to create a layer of SiO₂ from a precursor are described below. These basic processes are similar to the processes used in semiconductor manufacturing, and the resulting coating on the inside surface of the treated components is contaminant-free to a level compatible to the semiconductor industry. The inventive methods are particularly adapted for, but not limited to, treating gas flow control components such as regulators, valves and the like through which corrosive gases may flow.

Basic Process for Forming Silicon Dioxide A preferred method of acquiring the Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂) needed to create a silicon dioxide thin film is to decompose a SiO₂ precursor such as DADBS (diacetoxyditertiarybutoxysilane), or TEOS (tetraethoxysilane). DADBS deposits SiO₂ films at temperatures ranging from 400° C. to 600° C. The formation of SiO₂ from these precursors is due to the thermal decomposition of the precursor in a homogenous gas-phase reaction followed by a heterogeneous surface reaction with a metal surface, such as the inner surface of a gas flow control component. The process is shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the process starts with precursor 10. Precursor 10 is thermally decomposed 15 into an intermediate product I (20) and, typically, by-products R (25). I is typically a gas phase intermediate containing Si and O₂. By-product R is typically a gas-phase organic by product. For example, when using DADBS as the precursor, the gas-phase reaction during thermal decomposition proceeds as follows: SiC₁₂H₂₄O₆→I+R₁ (thermal decomposition)

where I is an intermediate species in the gaseous phase containing Si and oxygen, and R₁ is an organic by-product also in the gas phase.

As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate I adsorbs 30 onto a surface at a vacant surface site. This can be shown as: I+*→I^(*) (surface adsorption) where * represents a vacant surface site, and I* represents the surface site with the adsorbed intermediate I. The adsorbed intermediate I* (35) thermally decomposes on the surface 40 to form SiO₂ (45) and, typically, a volatile organic by-product 50 in the gas phase. This process proceeds as follows: I^(*)→SiO₂+R₂+* (decomposition of intermediate to form SiO₂)

By-product R₂(50) typically may be readily pumped out or simply flushed out. Therefore, after pumping out any excess by-products, a silicon dioxide layer will be left deposited on surface*.

For DADBS, all reactions needed to deposit the SiO₂ will occur at approximately 450° C. The reaction temperature may be reduced even further by mixing in oxygen or ozone, although as oxygen is preferably present in the reagents used in the process. It is therefore not necessary to add any oxygen during the process.

Process for Silicon Dioxide Deposition

In current systems used to form a dielectric layer in semiconductor fabrication, deposition of SiO₂ is typically performed in a flowing vacuum system. However, this methodology has not been used to coat metal surfaces for corrosion protection of metal surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 2, component 110 having interior surfaces to be treated, such as, for example, a gas flow control regulator or valve, is connected to vacuum pump 120, loaded into heating oven 130, pumped down to a pressure of approximately 1 mTorr and heated until the inner walls of component 110 reach a desired deposition temperature. A precursor, for example DADBS, is placed in a container 150. For DADBS, reactions needed to deposit SiO₂ will occur at approximately 450° C., but the deposition temperature may be reduced by mixing in oxygen. The DADBS is in liquid form at ambient conditions but is easily evaporated by heating the container to temperatures about 50-100° C. Container 150 may be a round bottom stainless steel flask, for example. Before deposition, the vapor on top of the DADBS liquid is pumped out through a by-pass line 145. Container 150 has a flow controller 155 such as a needle valve to control the vapor flow rate. The DADBS vapor is introduced into heated component 110 with the flow rate monitored by a flow meter 140. At the end of the deposition process, the DADBS vapor flow is shut off and the heated component pumped out using pump 120 to remove residual gases. Pump 120 and valve 121 are also used to maintain vacuum integrity.

This is a complicated process requiring careful control of flow rate and in maintaining vacuum integrity while heating to approximately at least 450° C. and preferably approximately 500° C. However lower temperatures may be used if oxygen is added.

Component Used as Mini-Chamber

An alternative, preferred, embodiment for the deposition of SiO₂ on components having interior surfaces, such as a gas flow control component is shown in FIG. 3. In this preferred embodiment, a vacuum system is not required. By this process, small diameter ports or other recesses inside the components that are not within the flow path are coated during the process.

As shown in FIG. 3, a measured quantity of the SiO₂ precursor 210 is introduced in the component itself 220, which may be a gas flow control regulator or valve having interior surfaces or parts. This is done by simply adding a measured volume of DADBS, or other SiO₂ precursor, to or within the component body 220 and sealing it so that the DADBS remains trapped inside it while the temperatures needed to initiate the decomposition reaction and SiO₂ deposition are reached. The component 220 is sealed, using seal 223 for example, thereby transforming the component into a sealed mini-chamber. The component may be sealed using brass connections, for example. It is possible for a gas flow component to act as a mini-chamber, because gas flow control components, such as regulators, can withstand many atmospheres of internal gas pressure. When this mini-chamber is heated to about 450° C. and preferably approximately 500° C. in oven 130, the component is filled with high pressure DADBS, or other precursor. The precursor starts to evaporate and fill the component at temperatures below 100° C. As the temperature of the inner walls of component 220 increases to 450° C., the DADBS molecules collide with the inner walls of component 220, thereby forming a thin film of SiO₂ on the inner wall surface upon their decomposition. The reaction process may be carried out at temperatures between approximately 400° C. and 600° C.

Coating of intricate and/or dead ended flow paths or recesses is assured by placing the precursor at or near those locations.

In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, several advantages are achieved. The process provides for a relatively chemically inert surface that enhances corrosion protection for the surface. The coating is deposited uniformly on inside surfaces and part of a flow control component with no need for a direct line of sight, and can be deposited at surface locations otherwise unreachable by a gas flowing through the flow control component. The coating can be deposited at temperatures less than 500° C., and generally in the range of 450° C. to 600° C. One embodiment of the inventive process does not require a vacuum system for deposition.

In addition, the inventive process involves materials that do not present serious hazards to an operator, and technicians can perform the inventive process safely and with high reliability.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth herein, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein and defined in the claims. 

1. A system for coating an interior metal surface of a gas flow control component with a thin film of corrosion resistant material, comprising: means for heating a surface to be coated in a closed chamber; means for introducing a corrosion resistant precursor gas to an interior of the gas flow control component, and means for containing said precursor gas within said interior of said gas flow control component, whereby heating of said surface causes the precursor gas to thermally decompose into a gas phase intermediate product and a gas phase organic product; means for coating the exposed surface with a thin film of the gas phase intermediate product to form a corrosion resistant film on the surface when the corrosion resistant precursor gas thermally decomposes and forms an absorbate on the metal surface; and means for withdrawing the gas phase organic product.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for heating the surface to be coated comprises an oven in which the component is placed.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for exposing the surface to be coated to a corrosion resistant precursor gas comprises means for pumping vapor out of a container containing a precursor.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the precursor is initially in liquid form, and the container is heated to cause the precursor to change to vapor form.
 5. The system of claim 3, said means for exposing the surface further includes a flow controller to control the rate of vapor flow to the surface to be coated.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for coating comprises means for controlling the pressure of the system during coating.
 7. The system of claim 1, further including means for controlling the pressure in the gas flow control component.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said means for controlling the pressure in the gas flow control component includes means for pumping a pressure down to about 1 mTorr.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said precursor is a SiO₂ precursor gas.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said precursor gas is DADBS.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for exposing the surface to a corrosion resistant gas comprises placing a precursor inside the gas flow control component.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for coating the surface further comprises means for controlling the pressure in the gas flow control component.
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising means for sealing off said gas flow control component said means being adapted to seal off said unit after a precursor gas is placed inside the unit.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the corrosion resistant film comprises silicon dioxide.
 15. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for mixing said precursor gas with an oxygen or ozone producing agent. 